I?m in the market to purchase a used vehicle since someone rear ended and totaled my Honda Civic. I would like to stick with Honda and get an Odyssey minivan (since we have kids). I would like to purchase a used one. Maybe a few years old with about 20-30K miles on it. I have some questions/comments though.
1) If I purchase from a dealer, I?m sure I would need to pay sales tax. At 8% (California rate), the tax on a $15,000 car would be $1,200. If I purchase from a private party, I don?t think I would have to pay the sales tax. Also, people tell me that I would be able to negotiate better with a private party and thus get a better deal. What do you think?
2) If I go the private party route and when I?m ready to purchase, is it safe for me to get a cashier?s check from the bank and give it to the seller in return for a signed pink slip, smog certificate, and vehicle (again California rules). And then file the change of ownership (plus DMV fees) later. I don?t want to get scammed or buy a stolen car.
I?m a car buying noob and only bought one vehicle before (the Civic) and that was from the dealer. They did all the change of ownership papers.
All help and insight is greatly appreciated.
Cliffs:
1) Want to buy a used minivan.
2) If I buy from the dealer, I?ll have to pay sales tax.
3) I could save on the sales tax if I buy from a private party. Good idea or no?
4) How do I buy the car without getting scammed?
1) If I purchase from a dealer, I?m sure I would need to pay sales tax. At 8% (California rate), the tax on a $15,000 car would be $1,200. If I purchase from a private party, I don?t think I would have to pay the sales tax. Also, people tell me that I would be able to negotiate better with a private party and thus get a better deal. What do you think?
2) If I go the private party route and when I?m ready to purchase, is it safe for me to get a cashier?s check from the bank and give it to the seller in return for a signed pink slip, smog certificate, and vehicle (again California rules). And then file the change of ownership (plus DMV fees) later. I don?t want to get scammed or buy a stolen car.
I?m a car buying noob and only bought one vehicle before (the Civic) and that was from the dealer. They did all the change of ownership papers.
All help and insight is greatly appreciated.
Cliffs:
1) Want to buy a used minivan.
2) If I buy from the dealer, I?ll have to pay sales tax.
3) I could save on the sales tax if I buy from a private party. Good idea or no?
4) How do I buy the car without getting scammed?